I’m having a moment....

On the advice of bhb I took him to the doctor to discuss medication, she agreed (previous doctor would not Medicate before 8 unless they were failing). He’s also finally going to get OT.

We started this weekend and when he had his first dose on Saturday he just... sat with me. I’ve never seen him still unless he’s sleeping. Usually he’s wiggling and kicking and flailing around. And then we drove somewhere and he talked to me about the same topic for 30 minutes without jumping around and blurting stuff out... we had a conversation that made sense and he listened and responded appropriately. Normally it’s disjointed.

Today was the first day medicated at school, and he did well. And when he came home we did homework, which is usually an ordeal that takes an hour or more (should take 15 mins max), and he just... did it.

I told him “good job on your homework today buddy I’m so proud of you” and he said “the medicine helps me think better. It’s quiet. I like it. I didn’t think I would but I like it”

I’m honestly not sure how I’m feeling. Relieved? Happy? Sad this is something he has to deal with? My concern is I don’t want him to think he’s “defective” and how to drive home the point that the meds help him, but that it’s still his brain doing the thinking.

I am so glad you have found something that works for your boy. What a relief.

Posted
10/01/2018

I am so glad you have found something that works for your boy. What a relief.

It is a relief I’m just worried about side effects etc.

He’s sooooooo smart, so he wasn’t falling into “behind” territories despite paying basically zero attention, so I’m sort of second guessing myself cause he was keeping up in school but he has the potential to do more than struggle constantly ya know?

My DD (dear daughter) 8 has ADHD, we just switched from ritalin to Ritalin LA. The difference is so amazing

We have talked about it in terms of cars ( I think i read it hear) : there are cars and then race cars, which go faster, do extra tricks etc. DD (dear daughter) can see that she has a race car brain and the meds help slow her down and “ drive on the road not a race track”

I have no experience but would reassure him that you’re happy he’s happy that this med is helping his brain slow down. Sometimes our bodies need medicine to work better, and that’s all it is. No different than if he had an infection and a medicine is needed to help fight it off. (I know it is different but to a 6 year old, it might be enough to explain that it’s not to “fix” him, kwim)

I’m glad it’s helping him so far, hopefully it keeps working for a while before it needs to be tweaked.

It is a relief I’m just worried about side effects etc.
He’s sooooooo sm...

Posted
10/01/2018

It is a relief I’m just worried about side effects etc.

He’s sooooooo smart, so he wasn’t falling into “behind” territories despite paying basically zero attention, so I’m sort of second guessing myself cause he was keeping up in school but he has the potential to do more than struggle constantly ya know?

I hear you on this. We have noticed slightly decreased sleep and some initial stomach ache

I have no experience but would reassure him that you’re happy he’s happy ...

Posted
10/01/2018

I have no experience but would reassure him that you’re happy he’s happy that this med is helping his brain slow down. Sometimes our bodies need medicine to work better, and that’s all it is. No different than if he had an infection and a medicine is needed to help fight it off. (I know it is different but to a 6 year old, it might be enough to explain that it’s not to “fix” him, kwim)

I’m glad it’s helping him so far, hopefully it keeps working for a while before it needs to be tweaked.

Me too

The benefit of this liquid stuff is you can tweak it in very small increments, so less of a jump than pills which only come in certain strengths. So if it stops working it’s easier to give a tiny bit more/less/whatever and see if that helps.

I could've written this even the timeline, we started this wkend. He's 8, and never quite failed but struggles so badly at school. Homework has always been an ordeal, crying, refusal, and just plain misery for both of us. I was honestly terrified to start him.on medication. He said it makes him dizzy but he could finally listen to the teacher, and he likes it. I.said are you sure you don't have to take it....he was like no.mom I want to take it. It helps me. I wanted to cry, I hate to medicate him, it's been a true inner battle for me, if I was making the right decision. He's so smart and so sweet. I tell him there's nothing wrong with him, he just learns different and that makes him even more unique and cool. I wish you the best of luck!!

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